Stranding machine



p 1942- R. M. SCOTT ETAL v Q 2,294,634

STRANDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 3, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIE E a VIII/I4 nROGER M. s co1"r AND WILLIAM F. RICHARDSON INVENTORS m I a? ATTORNEYSept. 1, 1942. 'R. M. SCOTT ETAL STRANDING MACHINE Filed Dec 3, 1941'EIE E 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ROGER M. SCOTT AND WILLIAM -F'a RICHARDSONINVENTORS uM/M ATTORNEY Sept. 1, 1942.

R. M. SCOTT ETAL STRANDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 3, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4ROGER M. SCOTT AND WlLLl AM F. RICHARDSON INVENTORS Bvi jqw ATTORNEYPatented Sept. V1, 1942 2,294,634 STRANDING MACHINE Roger M. Scott andWilliam F. Richardson, Providence, R. 1.,

assignor to New England Butt Company, Providence, R. L, a corporation ofRhode Island Application December 3, 1941, Serial No. 421,410

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved stranding machine, and moreparticularly to improved regulating and control means for governing theoperation of a stranding machine and providing operating control andsafety devices therefor.

One object of the invention is the provision in a device of thischaracter of means for controlling the operation of the mechanism instopping and starting the same as well as means actuated in theoperation of the mechanism for stopping the same automatically upon thecompletion of a specified quantity of material being operated upon or aparticular or undue movement of certain of the operating parts duringthe operation of the mechanism.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a device of thischaracter of an improved brake control and operating means thereforadapted to provide a quick acting means for stopping the mechanism whenrequired by any one of a plurality of operating or control factors.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a device of thischaracter of safety con trol means adapted to serve as a protection forthe operator in the use of the mechanism and prevent injury to themechanism or the operator through carelessness or oversight in themachine operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a device of thischaracter of a protective casing together with control means thereforand novel means for connecting the control elements for actuationthrough the casing, either to control the operation of the mechanism orto facilitate the operation of certain of the safety and controlelements thereof.

Another object of the invention relates to an improved form of unifiedoperating means for the control mechanism capable of rapid response tocontrol factors or impulses for controlling the operating and regulatingmeans with certainty and speed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relate to various improveddetails of construction and novel arrangements of the parts in association with a variety of control elements and operating mechanisms aswill be more fully set forth in the detailed description to follow.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the stranding machine showing generally thelocation of the parts with reference to a mechanism enclosing casing andwith the casing cover open to show portions of the operating elements ofthe machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the casing substantially along theshowing the location and arrangement of the cover holding or lockingmeans together with control mechanism associated therewith,

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view through a portion of the cover andeasing, taken substantially along the line 33 of Fig. 2, showing one ofthe cover holding members and its cooperating control actuating elementin side elevation,

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, partially in section, takensubstantially along the line 44 of Fig. 1, showing the brake mechanismand operating means therefor together with a portion of the brakecontrol and brake actuating mechanism for controlling the operation ofthe brake,

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, taken line 5-5 of Fig. 4, andshowing parts of the brake control mechanism shown in Fig. 4 as seenfrom above,

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the flier and cradle showingportions of the cradle supported mechanism including the winding reel,and illustrating the location of certain control elements including thereel sto reel safety means and cradle stabilizing means, all shown intheir relation with the cradle generally together with the transmissionring members carried by-the flier for transmitting impulses to the brakecontrol mechanism upon actuation of any one of these control elementstending to apply the brake.

Fig. 7 is a detail view, taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fig.1, and showing portions of the reel stop mechanism in section,

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the cradle stabilizer box andmercury switches mounted therein,

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional View of the reel holding mechanism, takensubstantially along the line 9-9 of Fig.

Fig. 10 is a perspectiveend View of a portion of the casing as takenfrom the left in Fig. 2 showing parts of the control means and operatingelements connected therewith for actuating the brake control mechanismupon release of the cover, and I Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic-view of theelectric circuits for operating the motor as well as the brake controlmechanism through the various operating and control instrumentalities.

In the form of construction to which the present improved mechanism isshown as applied herein, the stranding machine, as concerns theoperating elements and their operation generally for forming strandmaterial, is similar to that shown and described in U. S. Letters PatentNo. 1,952,929, dated March 27, 1934, and the present improved featuresare or may be applied to a mechanism of the character shown in the abovepatent for controlling the operation of the mechanism generally as wellas certain elements thereof to provide operating means as well as safetycontrol means for the protection of the mechanism and the operator.

In the present form or embodiment of the invention, the strandingmachine including the control and operating elements thereof may bemounted upon a base and includes a main casing 2, having ends 3 and 4,for housing the operating elements. ed to a portion of the casing, asindicated at 6, and is provided with a flanged edge 8 adapted to engagea flanged edge 9 formed on a meeting edge portion of the casing 2.

A panel board of conventional form (not shown) provided with the usualor any suitable means for supporting the necessary electrical A cover 5is hingedly connectconnections for the various electric circuitsemployed in the control of the operating and safety means, together withcontrol switches therefor, is mounted on the base and enclosed within ahousing I carried by the base.

As shown, the casing 2 encloses a flier frame I6 which is supportedrotatably by suitable shafts l2 and l3, mounted for rotation instandards I4 and l5 respectively, carried by the base The flier frame Inmay comprise headers |8 connected by strand guiding bars I9, as is usualin devices of this character, andhas mounted therein and supportedthereby a cradle 20 upon which are mounted plural operating elements foroperating and controlling the operation of parts and mechanisms carriedby the cradle during the stranding operation, which may include atransmission gear 2|, a take-up roll 22, strand guiding means 23 and areel 24 for receiving the strand material after its formation, alldriven from a gear 26 carried by an extension of the flier driving shaftl2, the gear 26 engaging operatively with a gear 21 for driving thevarious mechanisms above described.

A reversible motor 28 is mounted on the base I and operatively connectedwith the shaft |2 through driving and driven pulleys 29 and 36 and abelt 3| for rotating the flier frame or rotor II] as well as operatingthe cradle supported mechanism through the gear 26 carried by anextension of the shaft l2. The motor 26 as shown, is operated from a3-phase motor circuit 32 having a double throw reversing switch 33therein for supplying current to operate the motor in either direction.

A brake mechanism 34 is provided for the flier frame which comprises abrake drum 35 carried by the flier l6 and mounted for engagement bybrake shoes 36 carried by brake arms 31, which may be pivotally mounted,as at 38, on the supporting standard M or other convenient support. Alink 39 connects the brake arms 31, and the brake arms are connectedthrough the link 39 with an operating arm46 carried by a brake controlshaft 4| by means of-atoggle link 42 and an adjustable connecting member41. A coiled spring 43 connects the toggle link 42 with the base or afixed portion thereof. The brake mechanism may be said'to include thecontrol shaft 4| which is supported'rotatably by bearings 44 carried bythe base and carries the brake operating arm 40 movable upon rotation ofthe shaft 4| to release the-brakes. A second operating arm 45 carried bythe control shaft 4| is connected with a slide 46 which serves to holdthe control shaft 4| against rotation in a direction to apply the brakeswhile the flier is being rotated in the operation of the strandingmechanism. I

A brake release pedal 48 is carried by the shaft 4| for rotating theshaft to move the brake shoes 36 out of engagement with the drum 35, I

and a supplemental control shaft 49 may be mounted in bearings 56located upon the opposite side of the base I from the bearings 44 and isprovided with a pedal 5| whereby the brake control shaft 4| may beactuated from either side of the machine, the supplemental shaft 49being operatively connected with the shaft 4| through a connecting link52.

The brake mechanism 34 is adapted for actuation by the pedals 46 or 5|through rotation of the brake control shaft 4| whereby the brake shoes36 are moved out of engagement with the drum 35 against the tension ofthe spring 43 through operation of the operating arm 4|]. Rotation ofthe brake control shaft 4| to release the brakes serves at the same timeto actuate a brake control mechanism 56 to move the locking slide 46into its locked position through movement of the slide by the operatingarm 45 carried by the control shaft 4|. Operation of either brake pedal48 or 5| serves to release the brakes and moves the brake controlmechanism into position to hold the brakes released until they areactuated in a manner hereinafter described for applying the brakesthrough operation of the coiled spring 43.

The brake control mechanism 56 is mounted on the base and includes theslide 46 which is operatively connected with the arm 65 carried by thecontrol shaft 4| which is adapted to be forced inwardly by movement ofthe shaft 4| into position to be engaged by a locking mechanism to holdthe brake shoes out of engagement with the brake drum. The means forlocking the slide 66 comprises a sliding latch 58 which is supported byan upright frame member 59 and guide plates 66 and 6| carried by theframe member. Toggle links 62 and 63 are pivotally connected to theguide plate 6|) and the latch 58 respectively, as at 64 and 65, and arepivotally connected to each other at 66. A link 6'! pivotally connectsthe toggle link 62 with a solenoid plunger connecting link 68. Thesolenoid plunger connecting link 68 is slidably mounted in a holder 69and is connected with a plunger head H1 movable into solenoid engagingposition under the influence of a solenoid coil 1| which is locatedwithin a solenoid circuit 12. The solenoid coil H is adapted to draw theplunger head Hi and plunger connecting link 68 inwardly towards the coilwhen energized to move the toggle links 62 and 63 into dotted linepositions as shown in Fig. 4 and thereby raise the sliding latch 58 outof holding engagement with the slide 46. This release of the slide 46permits application of the brake shoes 36 to the brake drum 35 by actionof the coiled spring 43 upon the toggle lever 42. A coiled spring 66 ismounted in the holder 66 for retracting the plunger head Hi and plungerconnecting link 68 upon its release by the solenoid and for returningthe latch 58 to its slide engaging position.

The brake control mechanism may be operated by movement of the controlshaft 4| through one of the brake pedals 48 or 5| to release the brakeby moving the brake shoes out of engagement with the drum85, and thismovement of the parts brings the slide into position to be operativelyengaged by the latch 58 whereby the brake shoes 35 are held outof-engagement with the drum 35 untilthe slide 45 is' released by upwardmovement of the latch '58, the movement of which is controlled bythe'solenoid coil ll. Energization of the solenoid coil, either throughactuation of the stop switch by the operator or by one of the controlactuating elements, draws the plunger head Illand plunger connectinglink 88 towards the coil, thereby moving the toggle links 62 and 53 toraise the latch- 58. out of engagement with the slide 48. Release of theslide 48 permits immediate applicaticnof the brake by freeing the togglelever. "to permit it to be drawn downwardly by. the coiled spring 43 toapply the brakes. j T

The brake mechanism and, control means therefor are employed forcontrollingthe operation of the stranding mechanism by the operator instopping and starting the machine, as. well as providing means forstopping the machine in response to their actuation by anyone of aplurality of safety devices or automatically operated machine controls,the location and operation of which will now be more fully-described intheir relation to and means for actuating the brake control means. i 1:,I It will be apparent also that the brake mechanism andoperatingmeanstherefor,as shown and described herein, constitutes anovel and highly efficient form of flier control means apart from itsadaptability for actuation through operation of any one of-severalcontrol elements. That is, the provision in astructure of this characterwith a brake requiring the application of considerable force to renderit effective, of an operating means comprising. afhigh potential forceadapted for applicationto the brake, together with a means. for securingits application quickly which requires a relatively minute forcefurnishes a powerful operating control for the flier which is capable ofinstant application at the touch of a finger andwithout any interferencewith or vibration being imparted to the rest of the mechanism.

As previously mentioned, the casing 2 is provided with a hinged cover 5,serving with the casing to enclose the principal operating elements ofthe mechanism and to protect the operator from injury through accidentalcontact with moving parts of the machine. Locking means are provided forthe cover 5 including pivotally mounted locking bolts 14 carried by thecasing 2 and each adapted to fit within slots 15 and 16 .formed in theedge flanges 8 and 9 respectively.

The locking bolts 14 are each provided with a threaded clamping nut '11for locking the cover firmly in its-closed position relative to thecasing. Means is provided forstopping the stranding mechanism when theclamping nuts 11' are turned to release the cover from the clampingbolts 14, which means include a shaft 18 and sleeve 79 concentricallypositioned and mounted for rotation in bearings 88 carried by thecasing. Fingers Bl are carried by the shaft 18 and sleeve 19 and eachmounted for engagement with one of the locking bolts 14 in such a manneras to be turned upwardly and held in position by the locking bolt whenin clamping engagement with the cover, as shown in full lines-on Fig. 3of the drawings. When the clamping bolt 14 is released from holdingengagement with the cover it is about its point of pivotal support, andthe finger 8| associated therewith then moves outwardly into theposition shown in dotted lines on Fig. 3 of the drawings. This outwardmovement of the finger 81 is effected through actuation of the shaft 18or sleeve 18 as follows. An arm 82 is fixedly secured to the sleeve 18outwardly of the end of the casing, and a similar arm 88 is fixedlysecured to the end of the shaft I8. Coiled springs 84 and 85 connect theends of the-arms 82 and 88 respectively, to a portion of the casing end,and these springs act through the arms 82 and 88 to rotate the sleeve 18or shaft 18 about their axes of rotation to move the fingers 8|outwardly into the position shown in dotted lines of Fig. 3 of thedrawings when either of these fingers is released by outward movement ofits cooperating locking bolt.

A switch control arm 85 is located outwardly of the casing end andpositioned between the arms 8! and 83, being provided with a pin 81extending across the paths of movement of the arms 82 and 88so as to beengageable by either of the arms upon movement of the same under theinfluence of its operating spring. The switch control arm 85 ispivotally mounted, as at 88, in a switch box 89, and operates to open orclose a switch 80 for actuating the control mechanism 56 to operate thebrake mechanism 34 upon the release of either of the locking bolts 14.The door switch 80 is located within the low voltage control. circuit 9]from the transformer and when opened serves to energize momentarily thesolenoid coil 1| and draw the plunger head 10 to the left, as shown inFig. 4, for moving the toggle links 62 and 63 to release the slide 45and thus permit the brake shoes 36 to be applied to the brake 'dr'um 35by action of the coiled spring 48.

A pivotally mounted switch arm 84 is carried by a switch box andpositioned to be engaged by the slide 46 to close the solenoid switch 88to the solenoid coil II when the slide 46 is locked in its inwardlyextended position, so that the solenoid coil circuit, while normallyopen during the operation of the machine, is capable of being closed andthe coil energized by operation of the stop switch 91 or any one of thecontrol element switches in the low voltage circuit 8|.

The stranding mechanism comprises the rotatably mounted flier frame i8,having headers i8 connected by strand guiding bars i9 together with thecradle 20 and operating means carried thereby, the cradle beingsupported within the flier frame from the rotatable flier shafts l2 andI3.

Plural cradle carried control means responsive to the operation ofcontrol elements of the stranding mechanism for actuating the brakemechanism through the brake control means shown and described comprise areel wind stop means, reel holding means and cradle stabilizing controlmeans, and these controls, being operable from the cradle, involve theuse of means for transmitting their impulses from the stationary orsubstantially stationary cradle through the flier or rotor frame to thebrake control mechamsm.

To provide means for actuating the control mechanism from these controlelements a continuous conductor ring member Hill is carried by theheader i8 located at the right of the machine as seen in Fig. 1, andmounted in electrically insulated relation therewith, being securedthereto by posts IOI which extend through the header I8 and supporting acorresponding transmission ring member I02 outwardly of the header andinwardly of the casing 4. The posts IOI may be mounted in bushings ofinsulating material to insulate the rings I and I02 from the flier frameI0. A support I03 is mounted on the cradle frame 20 and carries aconducting contact member or brush I04 which is mounted to contact withthe ring I00 and is insulated from the cradle frame 20. In a similarmanner, a conducting contact member or brush I05 is carried by the endwall 4 of the casing and insulated therefrom, the same being mounted forcontinuous contact with the ring I02 carried by and located outwardly ofthe header I8 of the flier frame. The several control elements mentionedabove' operate through switches located within the low voltage circuit9|, which circuit is normally closed during the operation of thestranding mechanism;

The cradle frame includes a transverse frame member I01 to whichissecured a casing I00 enclosing mercury switches I09 and II0, which areoppositely inclined relative to each other and are positioned within.the low voltage circuit 9|, the mercury-switches I09 and I |0 beinglocated each in the proper angular position transversely of the cradleframe 20 tov open the low voltage circuit upon transverse tilting of thewhich is located a sleeve I21 of conducting material and a sleeve I29ofinsulating material. The bushing I22 and sleeve I2I are both formed ofmetal or other conducting material. A screw I29, serving as a terminalfor an element of the electric circuit 9|, is passed through thecupshaped member I26 and into the conducting sleeve I2I, which normallybears against the lower end of the plunger I23 to ground the current inthe circuit. When thestrand material being wound upon the reel fills thereel to such an extent as to engage the enlarged head I24 of the plungerI23 and force the same downwardly against the tension of the spring I25,the lower end portion of the plunger I23 is moved out of engagement withthe conducting sleeve I2I tobreak the-circuit through the stop controlmeans which lies within thelow voltage circuit 9| and this switch meansis indicated on the wiring diagram as a switch member I30.

The low voltagecircuit 9| which contains the mercury switches previouslydescribed together-- with the reel locking'switch I I9 and the full reelswitch I passes to the support'I03 and is connected with ..the contactmember'or brush. I04

. for completing the circuit through the conductor cradle frame in onedirection or the other to a degree in excess of a predetermined limit oftilt during the operation of the stranding mecha nism and under theinfluence of the rotating flier frame.

cradle frame 20 and is provided with an enlarged head 'I I3 and areduced portion II4, located adjacent to the enlarged head, which isadapted to receive the end of a locking slide II5 mounted upon the outerface of the cradle frame '20, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Thelocking rings I00 and I02 and, to thecontact member or brush I05 whichis carried by the end wall 4- of the casing. The several switchesabovenamed are connected in series as shown in the wiring diagram illustratedin Fig. 11 of the drawings, and in consequence the opening of either ofthese switches opens the low voltage circuit 3|.

A strand-guidin plate In maybe-carried by the support I5 or otherwisemounted'in position for guiding individual :cords or wires to thestranding machine through the flier supporting shaft I3, and aswitch'box I28 carried by the end 4 of the casing supports means foractuating the start and stop switches to start or stop the machine, andin the latter case, operate the control mechanism 56 to actuate thebrake holding means and apply the brakes. Connecting circuits from theswitch box I28, conductor I05 and. switch box 89 of the cover controlmechanism, which may be represented'by reference slide H5 is guided, inits movement relative to the cradle frame by a pin and slot connectionH6 and a bar slide H1. The locking slide 5 is provided with aninclinedface I I1 which engages a switch arm 'II8 controlling a switch I|9 inthe low voltage circuit 9|. Upon movement of the locking slide intopositionto engage fully the reduced portion II4 of the shaft H2, theswitch arm H8 is permitted to move into position to close the switchII9, while in the event of the locking slide being moved accidentallyorotherwise out of its holding relationwith the reduced portion of theshaft II2, the switch arm H8 is moved to open the switch 9 and thusactuate the brake control mechanism.

The full reel stop control means carried by the cradle 20 comprises adownturned arm I20 carried by a portion of the cradle frame whichsupports asleeve I2I containing a bushing I22 in which is slidablymounted a plunger I23 provided characters I29, I30, and I3I,.respectively, lead to the panel board enclosed in the casing I wherethey are suitably connected into the circuitshereinafter described.

In the operationvof the mechanism above described before starting themachine'the br'akes- 36 arein operative engagement with the drum 35. Themain reversing switch 33 and the manually operated switch I34 in the lowvoltage circuit 9|, both of which aremounted on the panel board, areclosed to make current available for with a head I24 adapted to contactwith the stranded material asit is wound upon the reel and which is heldresiliently in an outwardly extendedposition by means of a coiled springI25 engaging the bushing I22 and the enlarged head I24. A cup-shapedmember I25 of insulating material is telescoped within the sleeve I2| inthe motorand-other operating elements from the main line circuit 32. Thestop switch/91 in the low voltage circuit 9| is also closed.

The operator starts the machine by first rotating theshaft 4| byactuation of one of the pedals 48 or 5|, thus moving'the brakes36 outof, engagement with the drum 35 through action of the arm 40 andconnecting member 41 against the tension of the spring 43, and at thesame time the slide 46 is moved inwardly by the arm 45 to be engaged bythe sliding latch 59 and locked in position to hold the brakes 36 out ofengagement with the brake drum 35. This inward movement of the slide 46moves the switch arm 94 into position to close the switch 96 which whenclosed places circuit I46 in condition so that it may be closed and coilI49 energized by the closing of the start switch I36. It is to beunderstood that upon closing the main reversing switch 33 current fromthe main line circuit 32 passes to the transformer I38 through the shuntcircuit I39 although the line switch I50 is still displaced to the rightholding open the switches I52, I53, I54 and I55. The operator thencloses the start switch I36 which energizes the coil I3! in the lowvoltage transformercircult, since the transformer I36 is receivingcurrent through the shunt circuit I39 from the main lines I40and I4I. vf

The closing of -the start switch-l36 energizing the coil I31 servestomove the contact switch I42 to the left as shown on th fdia'gram,closing switches I43 and I44 and openingthe switch I45 throughthe-circuit I46. 1 switch I44 completes the;circuit 12-- through thesolenoid coil circuit,' except for the switch I 54, as the jsli'deoperated switch 96 was closedon releasev {of "the brakes before closingthe start switch, and also closes the circuit. I 48 through the coil I49thus'mo i- 18 .thcrline switchjl50'tothe left as shown infthe to closethe individualzswitches III, 'I52 and I53 .in themain'lines I55, I40andjl4l, respectively, as well asswitch I54. infithesolenoid circuit I2.This movement ofalthe switchesflclosesjthe main line' circuit to themotor 28 and completesthe; circuit I2 to' the' The closing of the.

solenoid coil from one of the main lines, but" the i h-volta e; currentfrom the mainlineis prevented from energizing the solenoid coil, by'rean} switch I45-,in v the, circuit, -I 46.

is, now completely clos'edI;by closing of the switch I43; The sole-' sonof the-op'e H The low vpltagebirc'uit 9| noid circuit'12is closed ntthe? main, feed line uo-gbyi' tne closing ,or: the switch I54 and-byclosing'o'f"theysolerioidswitch96 so that the circult thro gh thesolerioid coil-is-in'condition to permit the energizing of this coil fromthe mainf line circuit wheneverv the switch'I45 is closed tocomplete-thejcircuitL'j As' stated,"the .start switch 136 when clos'ed'completes thecircuit through the, low voltage line'of the transformercircuit 9 I to energize control switch I42 to-the left closing theindividual switches I44 and I43.

the coil, I31 and move the' I V g The switch last named takes the placeof the starting switch I36, which may return to its openposition afterbein moved to eflfect the closing of-the switch I43."

Since the stop switch 9]. and manually operated switch I34 wereclosedbefore operatingthe start switch-[and since the-.lowvoltage: circuit"9I'is;

groundedf-at I 56'- and i51 the"closing. of; the switch I43 "closes 7the- ;low voltage "circuit 9| through' the low "voltage line of thetransformer |38.- The switches .I I9; I-and mercury switches I09 and H0in the low voltage circuit 9| are normally closed at all times exceptwhen one or another of them may be opened by some undesired operation ofthe cradle or its mechanism, such as failure of the reel latch to engageproperly, filling the reel to its capacity or tilting of the cradleexcessively.

The opening of any switch in the low voltage circuit 9|, after startingthe machine in the manner described above, operates through the brakecontrol means to stop the operation of the mechanism and apply thebrakes. If we assume,

for example, that the stop switch 91 is opened by the operator to stopthe operation of the machine the control means may be actuated in thefollowing manner: Th opening of the switch 91 opens the low voltagecircuit 9| and immediately deenergizes the coil I3'I. The control switchI42 moves tothe right as shown in the diagram bolts 14,

to open the switches I43 and I44 and close the switch I45. The closingof the switch I45 closes the circuit through the solenoid coil andcircuit I46 permitting the momentary passage of current to the solenoidcoil from the high voltage circuit I40 through the circuit I2 toenergize the solenoid coil II. The energizing of the solenoid coil IImoves the plunger head I0 to the left as shown in Fig. 4 and raises thelocking slide 56 to release the slide 46 and permit the brake shoes 36to be drawn into engagement with the brake drum by action of the coiledspring 43. This operation also causes movement of the switch arm 94 uponoutward movement of the slide 46 to open the switch 96 in the solenoidcoil circuit I2.

The high voltage current from the main line I which energizesvthesolenoid coil lasts only momentarily since the opening of the switch I44deenergizes the coil I49 immediately following the closing of the switchI45. This results in I movement of the line switch I50 to the right asmentarily delayed relation with the switches I5I,

I52, and I53 to insure passage of a momentary current through thesolenoid circuit 12 to energize the solenoid coil II and release theslide 46 before the opening of the switch I54 completes the opening ofthe solenoid circuit 12. The con.-

trol mechanism is thus returned to its initial condition prior to therelease of the brakes by v the operator and the closing of the startswitch. To restart the machine from this position of the parts, theoperator must-first release the brakes through the pedal 49'or 5| andreclose the start switch when the control mechanism may again be placedin operation after the manner previously described to bring the machineto full operation.

While in the example above described the operation of the mechanism wasstopped by action of the operator in opening the stop switch, a sim-.ilar result will follow and similar movements of the control switchesand operating parts will take place upon the opening of the low voltagecircuit 9|.v

any of the switches in Release of the looking or either of them, willoperate through the switch control arm 36 to open the switch 90 infthelow voltage transformer circuit 9| to stop the operation of themechanism by actuation of the control mechanism in the manner abovedescribed, as will also failure of the winding reel locking meansoperating through the switch arm II8 to open the switch H9, or operationof the full reel stop mechanism to open the switch I 30 or the openingof the circuit 9| through exces sive tilting of the cradle 20 acting inone direction or the other and resulting in opening the circuit throughone of the mercury switches I09 and I I0. In the stopping of the machineoperation through actuation of one of the control switches as abovedescribed, the particular control switch responsible must, of course, beclosed through return of the operating element to its operatingcondition before the machine can be restarted after the manner abovedescribed.

By reason of the arrangement of electric circuits above described andtheir modes of operation, the current passing through operating partsformer circuit 9|, thus avoiding any possibility of injury to theoperator, "machine parts or material being operated upon through thepresence in the mechanism of a high voltage current. Furthermore, bymeans of the arrangement of mechanism and operating circuits there isnormally no current ,passing through the solenoid coil 'II and thecurrent passed therethrough to operate the slide locking means is neveranything other than a momentary current since the switch I54 is openedimmediately following the closing of the switch I45 which completes thecircuit through the solenoid coil II.

From the above description it will be seen that the present controlmechanism, as respects its protective features, operates in such amanner as to make injury to an operator practically impossible throughcontact with a part of the machine while it is in motion, by applyingthe brakes, not when the cover is lifted, but when one of the clampingnuts is loosened to such an extent as to permit its clamping bolt tomove forwardly and cause actuation of the control. Since both clampingbolts must be released before the cover can be raised, it follows thatthe flier is brought to a full stop before access can be had to themoving parts. Moreover, the machine cannot be restarted under poweruntil the cover is closed and both clamping bolts are locked in theirholding positions.

The arrangement of the parts is such that the solenoid for actuating thebrake control mechanism is never energized other than momentarily, thecurrent being cut 011 immediately following release of the slide 46.Plural means are provided for cutting off the current to the solenoidcoil including the slidecontrolled switch arm 94 for opening the switch96 and the opening of the circuit I48 to the coil I49 which results inopening the switch I54 in the solenoid circuit I2 immediately followingthe energizing of the solenoid coil; Anything other than a momentaryenergizingof the solenoid coil 'II can only occur upon failure of bothof these switches at the same time.

What we claim is:

1. In a stranding machine comprising a rotatable flier and a strandingmechanism supporting cradle tiltably mounted within said flier, meansfor rotating said flier about said cradle, brake means mounted foroperative engagement with a portion of said flier, means for applyingsaid brake means to said flier, means for holding said brake means outof operative engagement with said flier against the influence of saidbrake applying means, and brake control operating means carried bysaidcradle and operable in response to excessive tilting of said cradle forreleasing said brake holding means.

2. A stranding machine comprising a rotatable flier, a strandingmechanism supporting cradle mounted within said flier, brake meansmovable into and out of braking engagement with said flier, constantlyacting means for moving said brake means into braking engagement withthe flier, means for holding said brake means out of operativeengagement with the flier, a winding reel carried by said cradle, latchconnected supporting means therefor, and control means for said brakeholding means movable upon failure of said latch connected reelsupporting means for releasing said brake holding means.

3. A stranding machine comprising stranding mechanism including arotatable flier, a casing enclosing said flier having a movable closureand 7 closure locking members, brake means mounted for operativeengagement with the flier and means for applying said brake means tosaid flier, means for holding said brake means out of operativeengagement with said flier, control means for releasing said brakeholding means, and means actuated by release of said closure lockingmembers for operating said control means to release the brake holdingmeans.

4. A stranding machine comprising stranding mechanism including arotatable flier, a casing enclosing said flier having a cover andlocking means therefor, brake means mounted for operative engagementwith the flier and brake applying means therefor, means for holding saidbrake means out of operative engagement with the flier against theaction of the brake applying means, control means for releasing saidbrake holding means, and means-operable by an element of said strandingmechanism or upon release of said cover member locking means foroperating said control means to release said brake holding means.

5. A stranding machine comprising a rotatable flier, brake means forsaid flier comprising a brake control arm, means acting constantly onsaid control arm tomove the same into position to apply the brake meansto the flier, a rotatable member having means for holding said controlarm in position to maintain the brake means out of operative engagementwith the flier, and detent means holding said rotatable member inposition to maintain the-brake means out of operative engagement withthe flier releasable to cause movement of the brake means into flierengaging position underthe influence of the brake applying means.

6. In a machine of the character described comprising a rotatable memberand driving means therefor, of-a casingenclosing said rotatable member,a cover for said casing, releasable clamping members for holding saidcover in its closed position, brake means mounted for operativeengagement with said rotatable member, control means for said brakemeans and said driving means, and means operable upon release of a coverclamping member for actuating said control means .to disconnect thedriving means and apply the "brake means to said rotatable member.

7. A stranding machine comprising'stranding mechanism including arotatable flier, 'a casing enclosing said stranding mechanism and flier,a closure for saidcasing, releasable clamping means for holdingtheclosure member in closed position relativeto the casing, drivingmeans for driving the stranding mechanism and rotating the flier,control means for said driving means, and means operable upon release ofthe closure clamping means for, actuating said control means todisconnectsaid driving means from driving relation with said strandingmechanism and flier.

8. In a stranding machine, stranding mechanism including a rotatableflier and a stranding mechanism supporting cradle tiltably mountedwithin said flier, driving means for operating said stranding mechanismand rotating said flier, driving mechanism control means, and meanscarried by said cradle and operable in response to excessive tilting ofsaid cradle for actuating said control means to disengage said drivingmechanism from operative connection with said stranding mechanism andflier.

ried by said cradle and operable upon failure oi.

said latch connected reel supporting means for actuating said controlmeans to disengage said driving means from driving connection with said3 stranding and flier.

Roam M. sco'rr.

F. mcmnson.

